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Home / Perfect For Summer Desserts

Rich & Creamy No Bake Chocolate Torte

A really quick and simple no-bake dessert that's a perfect, cool and creamy dessert for hot summer days!

Erren Hart

|

last Updated:

02/28/2025
4 from 8 votes
Jump to Recipe
Serves: 10 Servings
Prep: 10 minutes mins
Cook: 10 minutes mins
Creamy chocolate torte on a serving plate

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The Rich & Creamy No Bake Chocolate Torte on a white cake stand ready to serve

This easy, no-bake, chocolate dessert recipe for Rich & Creamy Chocolate Torte is smooth, decadent, and utterly delicious!

This is a really quick and simple no-bake cake that’s a perfect, cool, and creamy dessert for hot summer days!

This recipe is the perfect example of how getting something wrong can turn out extraordinarily right!  When you are developing a recipe, you can make things several times before you get it right.

This recipe started out as chocolate cheesecake, but it turned out way too chocolaty to be a cheesecake.

There was too much chocolate flavor, and not nearly enough cream cheese.  Who would have thought a recipe going wrong could taste so unbelievably good?

Why this recipe works:

  • Using bittersweet chocolate instead of milk chocolate keeps the torte from being too sweet.
  • The sour cream adds a tangy flavor to the recipe that works really well with the chocolate creaminess of the torte.
  • Using chocolate cookies instead of gram crackers for the base adds a deep chocolate flavor and crunch that brings it all together.

Here’s how to make it:

The cookie crumbs in a mixing bowl

Break up the cookie crumbs and add them to a mixing bowl.

The cookie mixture pressed into the pan

Add the melted butter and vanilla extract, mix until well combined and press into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan.

Set aside while you prepare the filling.

Mix milk, sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch, egg yolks, sour cream, vanilla & salt in a food processor (or mixer) until thoroughly blended and the mixture is smooth with no lumps.

the filling mixed together in a food processor
The filling mixture being mixed in the saucepan
The filling added to the pan covered with plastic wrap that is touching the filling

Add the mixture to a large saucepan and bring to a simmer whisking the whole time. Once the mixture comes to a simmer, add the cream cheese, butter, and chocolate.  Whisk until smooth.  Bring to a boil and whisk until the mixture becomes thick and creamy. Pour the mixture into the pan with the base and cover with plastic wrap (make sure the plastic wrap is touching the surface to avoid a skin forming).

the chocolate curls added to the top of the torte

Chill cake for at least 4 hours. Then cover with chocolate curls for decoration.

A slice of the Rich & Creamy No Bake Chocolate Torte being served

Slice and serve.

a piece of the torte on a plate with a fork with a bite missing from it

Enjoy every last bite.

Cook’s Tips:

  • Be sure to heat the mixture slowly to avoid the eggs forming clumps.
  • Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature before starting. This is vital for a smooth, lump-free dessert. 
  • Don’t rush things.  Be sure the torte is fully set before slicing.

Variations:

  • Try topping with a layer of freshly whipped cream before adding the chocolate curls.
  • Once set, add a layer of sliced strawberries followed by a layer of whipped cream for a whole new dessert.
  • Instead of chocolate curls, add chopped nuts for the topping.

? Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating below!

Creamy chocolate torte on a serving plate

Recipe

Rich and Creamy Chocolate Torte

A really quick and simple no-bake dessert that’s a perfect, cool and creamy dessert for hot summer days!
4 from 8 votes
Print Pin
Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
Cook Time: 10 minutes mins
Chill Time: 4 hours hrs
Total Time: 20 minutes mins
Serves 10 Servings

Ingredients

For the base:
  • 1 cup chocolate cookie crumbs (chocolate graham crackers or Oreos work well)
  • ¼ cup butter (melted)
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract
For the filling:
  • 1½ cups whole milk
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ⅓ cup cocoa powder (unsweetened )
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 3 large egg yolks
  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
  • 2 tablespoons butter (softened)
  • ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • chocolate shavings or curls (for garnish)

Instructions

For The Base:
  • Add the cookie crumbs, melted butter and vanilla extract and mix until well combined.  Press into bottom of a 9-inch springform pan and set aside.
For the filling:
  • Mix the milk, sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch, egg yolks, sour cream, vanilla & salt in a food processor (or mixer) until thoroughly blended and the mixture is smooth with no lumps.
  • Add the mixture to a large saucepan and bring to a simmer whisking the whole time. Once the mixture comes to a simmer, add the cream cheese, butter, and chocolate chips and whisk until smooth.
  • Bring the mixture to a boil and whisk for three minutes until the mixture becomes thick and creamy.  Pour the mixture into the pan with the crust.
  • Cover with plastic wrap (make sure the plastic wrap is touching the surface to avoid a skin forming).
  • Chill cake for at least 4 hours before slicing. To garnish sprinkle with chocolate shavings or curls
Show Nutrition Hide Nutrition

Nutrition

Calories: 475 | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 142mg | Sodium: 343mg | Potassium: 267mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 29g | Vitamin A: 915IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 127mg | Iron: 1.9mg
Created by Erren Hart
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Update Notes: This post was originally published in July of 2014, but was republished with step by step instructions, new photos, and tips in May of 2018.

4 from 8 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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13 responses

  1. Hadia Avatar
    Hadia
    06/11/2015

    The best mistake ever! The cake is divine, Erren!

    Reply
    1. Erren Avatar
      Erren
      06/14/2015

      Thank you, Hadia!

      Reply
  2. Catherine Avatar
    Catherine
    03/25/2015

    A beautiful ‘mistake’! I don’t even like to call it that because it sounds marvelous and looks so, so good! xo, Catherine

    Reply
    1. Erren Avatar
      Erren
      03/30/2015

      Thanks so much Catherine! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Simply Sated Avatar
    Simply Sated
    03/24/2015

    I love it when beautiful, unexpected results happen when cooking. THIS is divine – so chocolatey, yummy and perfect.

    Reply
    1. Erren Avatar
      Erren
      03/30/2015

      Thanks so much! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Rose Avatar
    Rose
    11/10/2014

    Hi, I made this for my Mom’s birthday and it came out great! Thanks so much for the recipe! I will definitely be trying more!

    Reply
    1. Erren Avatar
      Erren
      11/10/2014

      So great to hear, Rose! Thanks for letting me know!

      Reply
  5. Jan Avatar
    Jan
    10/03/2014

    Where’s the brown sugar you talk about in the instructions?

    Reply
    1. Erren Avatar
      Erren
      10/03/2014

      Sorry Jan, the granulated sugar was meant to say brown sugar (not that either wouldn’t taste good). I fixed it now. Thanks for pointing it out!

      Reply
      1. charlene Avatar
        charlene
        07/25/2024

        As of 7/25/24 the recipe still doesn’t mention brown sugar or the amount to use. Please help

      2. Erren's Kitchen Avatar
        Erren’s Kitchen
        07/26/2024

        Thank you for pointing that out, Charlene. There is no brown sugar in this recipe. I fixed the instructions. Please let us know if you give it a try! 😊

  6. Thalia @ butter and brioche Avatar
    Thalia @ butter and brioche
    08/01/2014

    SO delicious!

    Reply
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